Now we continue the second season of our series Tides of Change, with CGTN reporters bringing you stories along China's coast. Today we take a look at China's initial efforts to develop its navy, which can be traced back to 1866. Shipbuilding back then was considered part of efforts to modernize. Zhao Yunfei reports.

ZHAO YUNFEI Fuzhou, Fujian Province "The Luoxing Tower has an alternative name – the China Tower. It's an international mark for navigation. And that means, in the 19th-century, when seamen saw this tower they knew they were in China. The pagoda has witnessed China's history of sailing."

The Mawei Port in Fuzhou tells the story of China's humiliating loss during the Sino-French War. During a battle in 1884, the Fujian Navy was defeated by a French invasion. The French troops bombarded the Fuzhou Navy Yard.

That was less than 20 years since the country had begun to develop its maritime military force for national defense. The Qing government began to build its shipyards, warships and airplanes as well as foster talents in 1866. This marks the origins of the country's shipbuilding culture.

HUANG JINHUA China Chuanzheng Culture Museum "Today, as we're paving our way towards a country with strong maritime power, our shipbuilding culture is surging forward with vitality. This culture can inspire our young people to innovate, to be self-reliant and to be patriotic."

"China's shipbuilding culture has been passed down for generations. Today, the country has far more advanced skills that help explore the world's vast oceans. But the spirit is still there, to be open and to embrace the outside world."